Signal apparatus.



No. 827,683. PATENTED JULY 31, 1906. G. J. COLEMAN.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION nun) HAY 7,1902.

2 SHEETS-SHBBT 1.

awn, n. a

PATENTED JULY 31, 1966.

C. J. COLEMAN.

SIGNAL APPARATUS. 1

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7,1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS 6a., WAIHNDION, A a.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLYDE J. COLEMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE HALL SIGNALCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patenteol'J'uly 31, 1906.

Original application filed July 8, I901 Serial No. 67 530. Divided andthis application filed Ma y 7, I902. Serial No. 106,245.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, CLYDE JAY COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York city, in the county and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Apparatus,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal apparatus and systems, and also to suchas are adapted for use in connection with railways.

The invention seeks to provide a signal apparatus capable of beingoperated automatically and one that shall particularly obviate theobjections and limitations of the semaphore-signals heretofore ingeneral use on railways. By reason of this invention exposedsemaphore-signals requiring considerable energy for their actuation maybe operated by means of apparatus of great sim-,

plicity in its construction, reliability in its operation, and ofgreatly-reduced cost.

Prior to my invention the only automatic semaphore-signals for railwaysthat have gone into extended use belong to the class of pneumaticsignals or to the class of electric' motor signals. These two classesprior to my invention have represented the highest development ofautomatic railway semaphore-signals and they have both gone into widegeneral use on the railways of the country to the exclusion heretoforeof all other forms of automatic semaphores. It is well recognized thatboth these classes of signals have their own peculiar seriouslimitations and objections which the persistent efforts of inventors andpractical workers in the art have been unable to overcome. In apneumatic signaling system the signals are operated by compressed aircarried by supplypipes from a central power-station. At thispower-station there is a furnace, a boiler, a steam aircompressor, andother expensive apparatus all required to maintain the necessaryair-pressure in the supply-pipes. This apparatus must be kept inefficient and constant operation day and night in order that the signalsmay operate when required. The supply-pipes in many cases extend somesix or seven miles on each side of the power-sta tion.

It is evident that a pneumatic system is very expensive as regardsinstallation, maintenance, operation, and inspection. This cost is sogreatthat a pneumatic system is generally understood in the art to beimpractical where the installation calls for less than one hundredsignals. A pneumatic system, aside from its great cost, has other serious objections. The compression of the air generates moisture whichcollects in the pipes and in winter-time freezes and clogs the pipes,

thus often causing the signals to give false lndications. Again, theexpansion and contraction of these supply-pipes cause leakage at variouspoints, which is frequently diflicult to locate. Again, an accident atthe power-station is likely to throw out of operation all the manysignals which derive power from the station. Again, the percentage offailures to operate and of false operations is relatively high, owing tothe system being essentially one in which the working apparatus iseasily deranged. The great expense and other objections which inhere ina pneumatic system are due to the method and apparatus necessarilyemployed to supply and maintain the requisite energy for operating thesignals.

Automatic electric semaphores require an expensive and complicated motorfor each signal and a local battery to operate each motor. Thesebatteries are subject to deterioration, battery-jars frequently break,battery connections corrode, andother battery troubles arise. Moreover,the contacts in the electric power-circuit are liable to fuse, thecommutator is liable to become covered with frost or dirt, and sointerfere with the proper operation of the signal. Again, in coldweather a great amount of frost frequently collects upon the gears andother working parts of the motor, sometimes to the depth of half an inchand notwithstanding the fact that the parts are entirely housed. Thisaccumulation of frostis due to the fact that the chilled metal partscongeal moisture in the surrounding air. As a result this frost clogsthe mechanism andfrequently interferes with the proper working of thesignal and causes it to give a safety indication When it should give adanger indication. Moreover, it not infrequently happens that the frost,partly melts and then freezes hard, so that the signal cannot work atall and is liable to indicate safety when it should indicate danger?These difficulties with electric-motor signals complicated motors of theelectric-motor sigfied gas with its special advantages, and I apply itin a new and peculiar way. The gas energy is stored locally in separatestorage fied gas may be employed which is capable of are wellunderstood, and many efforts have. been made and various means employedto overcome them. For example, on one of the leading railroads of thiscountry it is the practice to provide against the frost difficulty byresorting to a constantly-operating fan in proximity to the housed motorduring cold weather.

My invention overcomes the objections and limitations of both thepneumatic and electric-motor semaphores. It does away with the expensivepower-station and long lines of piping and the troubles incident theretowhich characterize the pneumatic signals. It does away with thebatteries and nals and the troubles incident thereto. Moreover, it isnot subject to interference from a collection of frost. It is far lessexpensive than either of the other forms ofsignals in installation,operation, and inspection and is far more reliable in its operation thaneither of the other systems. Again, it is as commercially practicablewhere only one signal is required as where a thousand signals arerequired. These and other important advantages in favor of my signalarise from the pecu iar method and apparatus which I employ. By myinvention the signal-operating units in the form of a fluid under highpressure and is stored in high-pressure portable storage-chambers. By myinvention, also, the energy for operating the signal is stored in thestorage-chamber in the form of a liquid under high pressure, and whenthe energy is required it flows from the chamber in the form of a gas.This liquid may be called liquefied gas and the storage-chamber may becalled a pressure-storage chamber for liquefied gas. I apply the specialand peculiarly-maintained power furnished by liqueflowing, as required,from the pressure-storage chamber through a pressure-reducing valve isconducted to a device whereat the expansive power of the gas is appliedto operate the si nal. This last-mentioned device may be ca led a"gas-pressure-applying device. A controlling valve or valves is providedfor the control of this pressure-supply to this pressure-applyingdevice. Any liquesupplying the requisite power in the form ofgas-pressure when the pressure on the liquid is sli htly reducedsuch,for example, as liquei ied carbonic-acid gas. The gas-pressure-applyingdevice may be constructed in various forms. For example, it may be inthe form of a piston-chamber or a turbine or in any other suitable formcapable of receiving and applying the pressure of the expanerate thesignal.

sive gas to operate the signal, although I prefer a piston andpiston-chamber.

The pressure-storage tank in its best form is removable and replaceable,so that when it has become substantially exhausted it may be removed andanother charged tank put in its place. Again, in the best arrangementthere will be a separate storage-tank for each separate signal. The tankmay thus be located in close proximity to its signal, thus avoidingleakage, loss of power, and other disadvantages incident to long pipesconnected with a distant source of supply. Again, in the bestarrangement the signal operating parts are lar ely inclosed within alocalized housing including the gas-pressure-applying device with itsexhaust port or ports, wherefrom it results that the deposition ofmoisture and frost upon those operating parts is largely prevented. Itwill thus be seen that in my apparatus the signal and its connectedparts may be entirely localized, compact, self-contained, and unitaryand that its operation will be automatic and quite independent of anyoutside conditions. Moreover, the entire apparatus is of greatsimplicity both in construction and mode of operation. By my system andapparatus a small portable pressure-storage chamber will supply asufficient signal-operating pressure for many thousands of signaloperations. Thus a tank containing fifty pounds avoirdupois of liquefiedcarbonic-acid gas is capable of operating an ordinary semaphore-signalupward of twelve thousand times. The great power-supply contained in thesmall portable pressurestorage tank is there maintained at an availablepressure much in excess of that required for a practical working of thesignal and by means of a reducing-valve is reliably reduced to andmaintained in a low-pressure chamber at the pressure required for anefficient and economical working of the signal. Thus the gas isinitially applied at a low pressure to op The reducing valve or deviceis interposed between the pressure-storage tank and the valve or valveswhich control the admission of pressure to the pressureapplying device,as is shown in the drawings.

By my invention the operating of the signal makes only brief andintermittent and small demands u on the stored power, and by myinvention a so the changes of temperature incidental to the operation ofthe liquefied gas are prevented from deleteriously affecting theoperation of the signal.

By my invention great economy of installation, of maintenance, and ofoperation are realized and obtained as contrasted with each of the twosystems in practical use, and yet even greater certainty and reliabilityof operation are obtained than is possible with them. I

It is to be observed that the pressure-storage tank for liquefied gas isindependent of any outside power source. This involves a great advantageover the local tank or reservoir, which requires to be supplied from Isignal is source upon which such tion of indication.

some outside power power-tank is dependent.

In the embodiment of the invention as set out in the present applicationgas-pressure is utilized not only to move the signal against its normalbias from one position to another, but is also used to hold the signalin such position against its normal bias.

The present application is a division of the application filed by me onJuly 8, 1901, Serial No. 67,530.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, I haveshown one of the various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a railway-signal;and Fig. 2 is a diagram of a system employing signals such as that shownin Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the specific apparatus shown in thedrawings, 1 is a semaphore-signal pivoted on the post 2 and providedwith the operating-rod 3. The piston 4 is secured to the rod 3 and worksin the piston-chamber 5.

6 is a hood for the piston-chamber and secured to the rod 3. Thispiston-chamber, with its piston, constitutes the gas-pressureapplyingdevice'or chamber above referred to. It will be noted that the inlet endof the piston-chamber has no substantial clearance between the end walland the piston.

The tank 7 contains a suitable liquefied gas under pressure and isprovided with a valve 8, which is permanently opened after the tank iscoupled with the reducing-valve 9 and pipe 10, leading to thepiston-chamber.

11 is the coupling for the tank 7, by means of which the tank may beremoved as required, so that when the tank has become exhausted anothercharged tank or the same tank when recharged may be readily substitutedfor the one removed.

That part of the pipe 10 between the inlet-valve 13 and thereducing-valve, together with a part of the reducing-valve, constitutesa low-pressure chamber wherein gas is maintained at the reduced workingpres sure and from which this low-pressure gas is initially supplied tooperate the signal. In the form of the signal shown in the drawings thesignal is arranged to assume its different conditions of indication bychange of its po sition with respect to the horizontal, the horizontalor upper position of the semaphore-arm indicating danger and theinclined or lowered position of the semaphorearm indicating safety. Thusthis particular form of the signal is what is known as a position-signalbut in its broadest aspect the invention is not confined to this type ofsignal. 50 is the ordinary weighted spectacle and arranged to act as acounterweight for the semaphore-arm, so that the signal has a normalbias to danger. Thus the normally biased toward one condi- Again, thesignals, as shown in the drawings, are not inclosed in a casing and areexposed to view and in actual use have a landscape background. Moreover,as shown in the drawings, the signals are arranged to normally indicatedanger that is to say, when there is no train to re ceive an indicationthe signal shows danger.

Control of the gas supplied to the pistonchamber is provided by means ofsuitable valve devices, and in the arrangement shown in the drawingsthese valve devices are designed to be controlled from a distance and bymeans of electric circuits operated by a passing train.

12 is a valve-casing provided with seats for the inlet-valve 13 and forthe exhaustvalve 14, carried on the valve-stem 15. This valve-stem isconnected with an armature 16, operated by the magnet 17. When magnet 17is energized, supply-valve 13 is opened and eXh aust-valve 14 is closed.

18 is a spring operating to hold the eX- haust-valve open and thesupply-valve closed when the magnet 17 is denergized.

The magnet 17 is included in the signalcircuit 19, which circuitincludes the battery 20, the normally open circuit-controller 21, andthe normally closed circuit-controller 22.

23 and 24 are magnets included, respectively, in the track-circuits oftrack-sections 25 and 26, respectively. The magnet 23 operates thecircuit-controller 21, and the magnet 24 operates the circuit-controller22. The track-section 25 is of course in advance of the signal, inasmuchas the signal stands normally at danger.

The operation of the signal as thus described is as follows: A trainentering tracksection 25 closes at 21 the normally open signal-circuit19, thereby energizing the magnet 17 and opening the supply-valve 13 andclosing the exhaust-valve 14. Gas thereupon enters the piston-chamber,moving the piston upward and moving the signal 1 down.- ward to safetyposition. The presence of the gas in the piston-chamber holds the signalin safety position against its normal bias. When the pressure of the gasin a pistonchamber has reached a predetermined pressure, the automaticreducing-valve 9 closes. If any of the gas, however, should unavoidablyescape from the piston-chamber, this might permit the signal to startback to danger before such movement was desired if it were not for theautomatic reducingvalve. The automatic reducing-valve, however, preventsthis from occurring, because if any of the gas should leak out of thepiston.- chamber the pressure in the piston-chamber would be reduced,and this would permit the reducing-valve to automatically open andsupply more gas to keep up the pressure, the

of track-sections 36 and 37.

reducing-valve automatically closing as soon as the predeterminedpressure is again restored in the piston-chamber. When the train entersthe track-section 26, it opens the normally closed circuitcontroller 22,there by deenergizing magnet 17 and reversing the position of thevalves, so that the gas in the piston-chamber may escape through the eX-iaust-valve 14 and'permit the signal to go to danger.

It will be observed that only one pressureapplying device or chamber isemployed in effecting the changes in the conditions of indication of thesignal.

It is of course obvious that many arrangements of valve devices may beemployed to control the presence of gas in the pistonchamber or othergas-pressure-applying device. It is also obvious that various means maybe employed for applying and for retaining gas supplied from the supplysource to cause the signal to assume and be maintained by gas-pressureat a condition of indication. It is also obvious that the signal may bearranged to stand normally at safety and that the controlling-circuitsmay be variously modified.

In Fig. 2 the diagram shows three signals 27, 28, and 29 connected in asystem. These signals stand normally at danger and are such as thatshown in Fig. 1. The operating mechanism of each signal is in'closed ina casing 30, which is provided with a door 31. Pressure-storage tanks32, 33, and 34 are provided, one "for each signal, and for each tankthere is a connection or coupling, such as the coupling 35, fordetaching and replacing each tank. Signal 27 guards the block consistingSignal 28 guards the block consisting of the track-sections 38 and 39.Signal 29 guards the block consisting of the track-sections following.Track-section 40 is part of the block preceding signal 27. The rails ofthe several tracksections are connected in circuit with the magnets 41,42, 43, 44, and 45. The signalcircuit of signal 27 includes battery 46,normally closed circuit-controllers 47 and 48, and normally opencircuit-controller 49, operated, respectively, by magnets 43, 42, and41. The signal-circuits of signals 28 and 29 are similarly arranged. Inthe operation of the system a train on track-section 40 closes at 49 thesignal-circuit of signal 27 and puts the signal to safety in front ofthe train. When the train is on track-section 36, it breaks thesignal-circuit at 48 and puts the signal to danger behind the train.When it enters track-section 37, it again breaks this signal-circuit at47 and keeps the signal at danger and also closes' the signal-circuit ofsignal 28 and puts it to safety. This operation is repeated as the trainproceeds. This diagram of a system is shown herein more particularly toillustrate the individual pressure-storage tanks for individual signalsand each in close proximity to its signal.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Let'- ters Patent, is

1. In a railway signal apparatus the combination of a signal, meansadapted to be controlled by gas-pressure to hold the signal at safety, alocal storage-tank of liquefied gas, and means forming a communicationbe tween said controlling means and said tank and including an automaticpressure-reducing means, whereby the pressure in the con* trolling meansis automatically maintained.

2. In a railway signal apparatus the combination of a signal normallybiased to danger, means adapted to be controlled by gas pressure to holdthe signal at safety, a local storage-tank of liquefied gas and meansforming a communication between said controlling means and said tank andincluding a pressure-reducing valve whereby the pressure in thecontrolling means is automatically maintained.

8. In a railway signal apparatus the combination of a semaphore bladenormally biased to danger, means adapted to be controlled bygas-pressure to hold the signal at safety, a local storage-tank ofliquefied gas, an inlet-valve for controlling the admission of gas tosaid controlling means, means for operating said valve and means forminga communication between said controlling means and said tank, wherebythe pressure of the gas in the controlling means is automaticallymaintained. 4

4. In a railway signal apparatus the com-. bination of a semaphore bladenormally biased to danger, means adapted to be controlled bygas-pressure to hold the signal at safety, a local storage-tank ofliquefied gas, an inlet-valve for controlling the admission of gas tosaid controlling means, means for operating said valve and meansincluding a bination of a signal normally biased to dan ger, a localstorage supply of liquefied gas, and means controlled by gas-pressurefor maintaining the signal at a position of indication against itsnormal bias.

6. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal; storage meanscontaining a supply of liquefied gas; means for applying and retaininggas supplied from said storage means to cause the signal to assume andbe maintained by gas-pressure in a condition of indication; and meansother than said stored supply of liquefied gas to cause the signal toassume a condition of different indication.

7. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal; storage meanscontaining a supply oi liquefied gas; means for applying d retaining gassupplied from said storage means to cause the signal to assume and bemaintained by gas-pressure in a condition of indication;train-controlled means for releasing said retained gas; and means otherthan said stored supply of liquefied gas to cause the signal to assume acondition of different indication.

8. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal; storage meanscontaining a supply of liquefied gas; means for applying and retaininggas supplied from said storage means to cause the signal to assume andbe maintained by gas-pressure in a condition of indication; electricmeans for releasing said retained gas; and means other than said storedsupply of liquefied gas to cause the signal to assume a condition ofdifierent indication.

9. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal; storage meanscontaining a supply of liquefied gas; means for applying and retaininggas supplied from said storage means to cause the signal to assume andbe maintained by gas-pressure in a condition of indication;train-controlled electric means for releasing said retained gas; andmeans other than said stored supply of liquefied gas to cause the-signalto assume a condition of different indication.

10. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal; storage meanscontaining a supply of liquefied gas; means for producing andmaintaining a reduction in the pressure of said gas; and means forapplying and retaining said gas at the reduced pressure to cause thesignal to assume and be maintained by gas-pressure in a condition ofindication.

11. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal; storage meanscontaining a supply of liquefied gas; a reducing-valve; and means forapplying and retaining gas supplied from said storage means to cause thesignal to assume and be maintained by gas-pressure in a condition ofindication.

12. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal; storage meanscontaining a supply of liquefied gas; an automatic reducingvalve; andmeans for applying and retaining gas supplied from said storage means tocause the signal to assume and be maintained by gas-pressure in acondition of indication.

13. In a signal apparatus, the combination of an exposed signal having alandscape background; said signal being normally biased toward oneposition of indication; storage means containing a supply of liquefiedgas; and means for applying and retaining gas subplied from said storagemeans to cause the signal to assume and be maintained by gas pressure ina condition of indication.

14. In a signal apparatus, the combination of an exposed signal having alandscape background; storage means containing a supply of liquefiedgas; and means for applying and retaining at a reduced pressure gassupplied from said storage 1m: 3.11s to cause the signal. to assume andbe maintained by gas-pressure in a condition of indication.

15. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a pivoted signal whosevarious indications are given by changes in its position saidsignal'being normally biased toward. one position of indication; storagemeans containing a supply of liquefied gas; and means for ap plying andretaining gas supplied from said storage means to move the signal to andmaintain it by gas at a position 01" indication.

16. In a signal apparatus, the combination of an exposed pivoted. signalhaving a landscape background and whose various indications are given bychanges in its position; said signal being normally biased toward oneposition of indication; storage means oon taining a supply of liquefiedgas; and means for applying the signal to and maintain it by Igas-pressure at a position of indication.

17. In a signal apparatus, the combination of an exposed pivoted signalhaving a landscape background and having a normal bias to. danger, saidsignal giving its various indications by changes in its position;storage means containing liquefied gas; an auto natic reducing-valve;means for applying and retaining gas supplied from said storage means atreduced pressure to move the signal to and maintain it by gas-pressureat safety; and. train-controlled means for releasing the retained gaswhereby the signal may go to danger.

18. In a signal apparatus, the combination of an exposed pivoted signalhaving a landscape background and having a normal bias 1 to danger, saidsignal giving its various indication by changes in its position; storagemeans containing liquefied gas; in automatic reducing-valve; means forapplying and retaining gas supplied from said storage means at reducedpressure to move the signal to and maintain it by gas-pressure atsafety, said means including supply and exhaust valves operatingsimultaneously; and a train-controlled magnet for operating said valves,whereby when the supplyvalve is opened. and the exhaust-valve is closedthe signal is moved to safety, and is maintained at safety bygas-pressure retained for maintaining the signal at safety, and wherebywhen the exhaust-valve is opened and the supply-valve is closed theretained gas is released to permit the signal to go to danger.

19. In a signal apparatus, the cor. of a signal; a stored supply of ii nmeans for applying and retaf in from said. stored supply to cause assumeand be maintained by ga a condition of indication, and a lo ressurechamber between the gas-supply and the signal.

binaticn :fied gas; -.s taken In a signal apparatus, the combination ofa signal; a stored supply of liquefied gas;

ing supply and exhaust valves; and an automatic reducing-valve.

21. In a railway-signal apparatus, the combination of a pivotedsemaphore-blade having a weight to give it a normal bias to dangerposition; a tank containing liquefied gas; means for applying andretaining gas supplied from said tank to move the blade to and maintainit at safety by gas-pressure, said means including a piston-chamber inoperative connection with the blade and in communication with said tank,and said means also including supply and exhaust valves, saidsupply-valve operating when opened to supply the gas which moves thelade to safety and which maintains the blade at safety, and saidexhaust-valve operating when opened to release the gas which is retainedto maintain the blade at safety; an au- .tomatic reducing-valve andtrain-controlled magnetic means for operating the supply and exhaustvalves, said magnetic means being energized to open the supply-valve andclose the exhaust-valve.

22. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal normally biasedto one condition of indication; a tank containing liquefied gas; andmeans for applying and retaining gas supplied from said tank to causethe signal to assume and be maintained by gas-pressure at a condition ofindication against its normal bias, said means including agas-pressure-applying device to move the signal and an exhaust-valve torelease the retained gas and thereby permit the signal to assume anothercondition of indication.

23. In a signal a paratus, the combination of a signal normal y biasedto one condition of indication; a tank containing liquefied gas; andmeans for applying and retaining gas supplied from said tank to causethe signal to assume and be maintained by gas-pressure at a condition ofindication against its normal bias, said means including a piston andpiston-chamber to move the signal and an exhaust-valve to release theretained gas and thereby permit the signal to assume another conditionof indication.

24. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal normally biasedto one condition of indication; a tank containing liquefied gas, areducing-valve, and means for applying and retaining gas supplied fromsaid tank to cause the signal to assume and be maintained bygas-pressure at a condition of indication against its normal bias, saidmeans including a gas-pressure-applying device to move the signal and anexhaust-valve to release the retained gas and thereby permit the 2 5. Inasignal apparatus, the combination of a signal normally biased'to onecondition of indication; a tankcontaining liquefied gas; areducing-valve and means for applying and retaining gas supplied fromsaid tank to cause the signal toassume and be maintained by gas-pressureat a condition of indication against its normal bias, said meansincluding a piston and piston-chamber to move the signal and anexhaust-valve to release the retained gas and thereby permit the signalto assume another condition ofindication.

26. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal normally biasedto one condition of indication; a tank containing liquefied gas; areducing-valve and means for applying and retaining gas supplied fromsaid tank to cause the signal to assume and be maintained bygas-pressure at a condition of indication against its normal bias, saidmeans including a gaspressure-applying device to move the signal, anexhaust-valve to release the retained gas and thereby permit the signalto assume another condition of indication and a magnet to operate saidexhaustvalve. f

27. In a signalapparatus, the combination of a signal normally biased toone condition of indication; a tank containing liquefied gas; areducing-valve; means for applying and retaining gas supplied from saidtank to cause the signal to assume and be maintained by gas-pressure ata condition of indication against its normal bias, said means includinga piston and piston-chamber to move the signal, an exhaust-valve torelease the retained gas and thereby permit the signal to assume anothercondition of indication and a magnet to operate said exhaust-valve.

28. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a series ofsignals each having a normal bias to danger position; a series of tankscontaining liquefied gas, one for each signal; a series of devices, onefor each signal, for applying and retaining gas supplied from said tanksto move the signals to and maintain them at safety by gas-pressure,

maintain them at safety by gas-pressure each of said devices includingsupply and exhaust valves, said exhaust-valve operating when opened torelease the gas which is retained to maintain the signal at safety; anautomatic reducing-valve for each signal; and train-operated magneticmeans for each signal operating when energized to open the supply-valveand close the exhaust-valve and when denergized to close thesupply-valve and open the exhaust-valve.

30. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a series ofsignals each having a normal bias to danger position; a series of tankscontaining liquefied gas, one for each signal; a-series of devices, onefor each signal, for applying and retaining gas supplied from said tanksto move the signals to and maintain them at safety by gas-pressure, eachof said devices including a piston and piston-chamber and supply andexhaust valves, said exhaust-valve operating when opened to release thegas which is retained to maintain the signal at safety; an automaticreducing-Valve for each signal; and train-op erated means forcontrolling the signal.

31. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a series ofsignals each having a normal bias to danger position; a series of tankscontaining liquefied gas, one for each signal; a series. of devices, onefor each signal for applying and retaining gas supplied from said tanksto move the signals to and maintain them at safety by gas-pressure, eachof said devices including a piston and pistonchamber and supply andexhaust valves, said exhaust-valve operating when opened to release thegas which is retained to maintain the signal at safety; an automaticreducingvalve for each signal; and train-operated magnetic means foreach signal operating when energized to open the supply-valve and closethe exhaust-valve and when denergized to close the supply-valve and openthe exhaust-valve.

32. In a signal apparatus, the combination of an exposed pivoted signalhaving a landscape background and having a normal bias to danger, saidsignal giving its various indications by changes in its position;storage means containing liquefied gas an automatic reducing-valve;means for applying and retaining gas supplied from said storage means atreduced pressure to move the signal to and maintain it by gas-pressureat safety, said means including supply and exhaust valves mounted on thesame stem and operating simultaneously; and a train-controlled magnetfor operating said valves, said magnet being energized to open thesupply-valve and close the exhaust-valve and being denergized to closethe supply-valve and open the exhaust-valve, whereby when thesupplyvalve is opened and the exhaust-valve is closed the signal ismoved to safety, and is maintained at safety by gas-pressure retainedfor maintaining the signal at safety, and whereby when the exhaust-valveis opened and the supply-valve is closed the retained gas is released topermit the signal to go to danger.

33. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source; agas-pressure-applying ch amber in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; supply and exhaustvalves for said gaspressureapplying chamber; and means for operatingsaid supply-valve whereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in saidgas-pressure-applying chamber to move the signal against its normal biasto and hold it at another position of indication by gas-pressure.

34. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source agas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; supply and exhaustvalves for said gas pressure applying chamber; andelectrically-controlled means for operating said supply-valve wherebygas may be supplied to and maintained in said gaspressureapplyingchamber to move the signal against its nor mal bias to and hold it atanother position of indication by gas-pressure.

35. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source; agas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; supply and exhaustvalves for said.

gas-pressure-applying chamber; and means for simultaneously opening thesupply-valve and closing the exhaust-valve and holding said valves insaid positions whereby gas may be supplied to said gaspressure-applyingchamber to move the signal against its normal bias to and hold it atanother position of indication by gaspressure.

36. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank.

for liquefied independent of any outside power source; agas-pressureapplying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; supply and exhaustvalves for said gas-pressure-applying chamber; means for opening thesupply-valve and closing the exhaust-valve and holding said valves insaid positions whereby gas may be supplied to said gas-pressure-applyingchamber to move the signal against its normal bias to and hold it atanother position of indication by gaspressure; an automaticreducing-valve in the connection between said supply-valve and said tankwhereby when the supply-valve is open a predetermined gas-pressure maybe automatically maintained in said chamber to hold the signal againstits normal bias.

37. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source; agas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; supply and exhaustvalves for said gas-pressure-applying chamber designed and arranged tooperate simultaneously in reverse; and electrically-controlled means formoving said valves from one position to another and there maintainingthem, whereby when the supply-valve is opened and the exhaust-valve isclosed gas may be supplied to said gas-pressure-applying chamber to movethe signal against its normal bias to and hold it at another position ofindication by gaspressure, and whereby when said valves are reversed thesignal may return to and. remain in the position of its normal bias.

38. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source; agas-pressure-applying chamher in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; supply and exhaustvalves for said gaspressure applying chamber; an automaticreducing-valve for said tank; and means for operating said supply-valvewhereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in saidgaspressure-applying chamber to move the signal against its normal biasto and hold it at another position of indication by gas-pressure.

39, In a signal apparatus, the combination .of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source; agas-pressure-applying cham her in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; supply and exhaustvalves for said gas-pressure-applying chamber designed and arranged tooperate simultaneously in reverse; an automatic reducing-valve for saidchamber; and electrically-controlled means for operating said supply andexhaust valves in both directions, whereby when the supply* valve isopened and the exhaust-valve 1s closedgas may be supplied to and maintained in said gas-pressure-applying cham her to move the signal againstits normal bias to and hold it at another position of indication bygas-pressure and whereby when said supply and exhaust valves arereversed the signal may return to and remain in the position of itsnormal bias.

40. In a signal apparatus; the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a detachable and replaceablepressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; a gas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection withsaid signal and incontrollable communication with said tank; supply andexhaust valves for said gas-pressure-applying chamber; and means foroperating said supply-valve whereby gas may be supplied to andmaintained in said gas-pressureapplying chamber to move the signalagainst its normal bias to hold it at another position of indication'bygas-pressure.

41. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a detachable and replaceablepressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; a gas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection withsaid signal and in controllable communication with said tank; supply andexhaust valves for said gas-pressure-applying chamber; means for openingthe supply-valve'and closing the exhaust-valve and holding said valvesin said positions whereby gas may be supplied to saidgas-pressure-applying chamber to move the signal against its normal biasto and hold it at another position of indication by gas-pressure; anautomatic reducing-valve in the connection between said supply-valve andsaid tank whereby when the supply-valve is open a predeterminedgas-pressure may be automatically maintained in said chamber to hold thesignal against its normal bias.

42. In a signal apparatus; the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a detachable and replaceablepressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; a gas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection withsaid signal and in controllable communication with said tank; supply andexhaust valves for said gaspressure-applying chamber; an automaticreducingvalve for said tank; andmeans for operating said supply-valvewhereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in saidgas-pressureapplying-chamber to move the-signal against its normal biasto and hold it at another position of indication by gas-pressure.

43. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a detachable and replaceablepressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; a gaspressure-applying chamber in operative connection with saidsignal and in controllable communication with said tank; supply andexhaust valves for said gas-pressure-applying chamber designed andarranged to operate simultaneously in reverse; an automaticreducing-valve for said chamber; and electrically-controlled means foroperating said supply and exhaust valves in both direc tions, wherebywhen the supply-valve is opened and the exhaust-valve is closed gas maybe supplied to and maintained in said gas-pressure-applying chamber tomove the signal a ainst its normal bias to and hold it at anotherposition of indication by gaspressure, and whereby when said supply andexhaust valves are reversed the signal may return to and remain in theposition of its normal bias.

44. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source; agas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; supply and exhaustvalves for said gas-pressure-applying chamber; a signal-circuit foroperating said supply-valve whereby gas may be supplied to andmaintained in said chamber to move the signal against its normal bias toand hold it at another position of indication by gas-pressure; andtrain-actuated means for operating said signal-oir cuit.

45. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source; a gas-pressure-aplying chamber in operative connection wit said signal and incontrollable communication with said tank; supply and exhaust valves forsaid gas-pressureapplying chamber; means for operating said supply-valvewhereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in saidgas-pressure-applying chamber to move the signal against its normal biasand to hold it at another position of indication by gas-pressure; and atrack-circuit for controlling said valve-o erating means.

46. n a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent of any outside power source; agas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in controllable communication with said tank; an automaticreducing-valve for said tank; supply and exhaust valves for said gaspressure-applying chamber; a signal-circuit for operatlng saidsupply-valve whereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in saidchamber to move the signal against its normal bias to and hold it atanother position of indication by gas-pressure; and train-actuated meansfor operating said signal-circuit. 47. In a railway signal apparatus,the compressure-a bination of a signal normally at danger and having anormal bias to danger position; a pressure-storage tank for liquefiedgas independent of any outside power source; a gaspplying chamber inoperative connection with said signal and in communication with saidtank; supply and exhaust valves controlling the admission to andpresence of gas in said chamber; and means operating to open saidsupply-valve whereby gas may be admitted to and maintained in saidchamber to move the signal to and hold it at safety by gas-pressure.

48. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination of a signal normallyat danger and having a normal bias to danger position; apressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; an automatic reducing-valve for said tank; agaspressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in communication with said tank; supply and exhaust valvescontrolling the admission to and presence of gas in said chamber; andmeans operating to open said supply-valve whereby gas may be admittedto. and maintained in said chamber to move the signal to and hold it atsafety by said gas-pressure.

49. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination of a signal normallyat danger and having a normal bias to danger position; apressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; a gaspressure-applying chamber in operative connection with saidsignal and in communication with said tank; supply and exhaust valvescontrolling the admission to and-presence of gas in said chamber;train-actuated means in advance of said signal operating to open saidsupply-valve whereby gas may be admitted to and maintained in saidchamber to move the signal to and hold it at safety by gas-pressure; andtrain-actuated means in the rear of said signal for opening said exhaustvalve to cause the signal to go to danger.

50. In a railway signal apparatus, the com bination of a signal normallyat danger and having a normal bias to danger position; apressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; a gaspressure-applying chamber in operative connection with saidsignal and in communication with said tank; supply and exhaust valvescontrolling the admission to and presence of gas in said chamber; atrack-circuit in advance of said signal operating to open saidsupply-valve whereby gas may be admitted to and maintained in saidchamber to move the signal to and hold it atsafety by as-pressure; and atrack-circuit in the rear of said signal for opening said exhaust-valveto cause the signal to go to danger.

51. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination of asignal normallyat danger and too IIC

having a normal bias to danger position; a

pressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; an automatic reducing-valve for said tank; agaspressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in communica- "tion with ,said tank; supply and exhaust valvescontrolling the admission to and presence of gas in said chamber; atrack-circuit in advance of said signal operating to open saidsupply-valve whereby gas may be admitted to and maintained in saidchamber to move the signal to and hold it at safety by gas-pressure; anda track-circuit in'the rear of said signal for opening saidexhaust-valve to cause the signal to go to danger.

52. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a pressure-storage tank forliquefied gas independent ,of any outside power source; agas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in communication with said tank; supply and exhaust valves for saidchamber whereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in said chamber tomove the signal against its normal bias to and hold it at anotherposition of indication by gas-pressure;

,a signal-circuit for operating said valves; and

one or more track-circuits for controlling said signal-circuit.

53.- In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a detachable and replaceablepressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; a

gas-pressure-applying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in communication with said tank; supply and exhaust valves for saidchamber whereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in said chamber tomove the signal against its normal bias to and hold it at anotherposition of indication by gas-pressure; a signal-circuit for operat- 45.

ing said valves; and one or more track-circuits for controlling saidsignal-circuit.

54. Ina signal apparatus, the combination of a signal having a normalbias to one position of indication; a detachable and replaceablepressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of any outside powersource; an automatic reducing-valve for said tank; a gaspressure-applyinchamber in operative connection with said si nal and in communicationwith said tan r; supply and exhaust valves for said chamber whereby gasmay be supplied to and maintained in said chamber to move the signalagainst its normal bias to and hold it at another position of indicationby gas-pressure; a signal-circuit for operating said valves and one ormore track-circuits for controlling said signal-circuit.

55. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal normally atdanger and having a normal-bias to danger position; a pressurestoragetank for liquefied gas independent of any outside power source; agas-pressureapplying chamber in operative connection with said signaland in communication with said tank; supply and exhaust valves for saidchamber whereby gas may be supplied'to and maintained in said chamber tomove the signal to and hold it at safety; anormally open signal-circuitoperating when closed to put thesignal to safety; a track-circuit 'inadvance of the signal adapted to be operated by a train to close thesignal-circuit; and a track-circuit in the rear of the signal adapted tobe operated by a train to open-the signal-circuit. i

56. In a signal apparatus, th e combination of a signal normally atdanger and havin a normal bias to danger position; a detachable andreplaceable pressure-storage tank for liquefied gas independent of anyoutside power source; a gas pressure applying chamber in operativeconnection with said signal and in communication with said tank; supplyand exhaust valves for said chamber whereby gas may be supplied to andmaintained in said chamber to move the signalto and hold it at safety; anormally open signalcircuit operating when closed to put thesignal tosafety; a track-circuit in advance of the signal adapted to be operatedby a train to close the signal-circuit; and a trackcircuit in the rearof the signal adapted to be operated by a train to open thesignal-circuit.

57. In a signal apparatus, the combination of a signal normally atdanger and having a normal bias to danger position; a pressurestoragetank for liquefied gas independent of any outside power source; anautomatic reducing-valve for said tank; a gas-pressureapplying chamberin operative connection with said signal and in communication with saidtank; supply and exhaust valves for said chamber whereby gas may besupplied to and maintained in said chamber to move the signal to andhold it at safety; a nor- 11o mally open signal-circuit operating whenclosed to put the signal to safety; a trackcircuit in advance of thesignal adapted to be operated by a train to 'close the signal-circuit;and a track-circuit in the rear of the signal adapted to be operated bya train to open the signal-circuit.

58. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a series ofsignals each having a normal bias to danger position; a series ofdetachable and replaceable pressure-storage tanks for liquefied gas, onefor each signal and independent of any outside power source; a series ofgas-pressure-applying chambers, one for each tank, in operative I25connection with a signal and in controllable communication with itsassociated tank; supply and exhaust valves vfor each of said chambers;and train-operated means'for operating said supply-valves whereby gasmay I 0 be supplied to and maintained in said chambers to move thesignals to and hold them at safety position.

59. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a series ofsignals each having a normal bias to danger position; a series ofdetachable and replaceable pressure-storage tanks for liquefied gas, onefor each signal and independent of any outside power source; anautomatic reducingvalve for each tank; a series of gas-pressure-applyingchambers, one for each tank, in operative connection with a signal andin controllable communication with its associated tank; supply andexhaust valves for each of said chambers; and trainoperated means foroperating said supplyvalves whereby gas may be supplied to andmaintained in said chambers to move the signals to and hold them atsafety position.

60. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a series ofsignals each having a normal bias to danger position; a series ofdetachable and replaceable pressure-storage tanks for liquefied gas, onefor each signal and independent of any outside power source; a series ofgas pressure applying chambers, one for each tank, in operativeconnection with a signal and in controllable communication with itsassociated tank; supply and exhaust valves for each of said chamberswhereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in said chambers to movethe signals to and hold them at safety by gaspressure; andtrain-operated electric circuits for operating said valves.

61. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a series ofsignals normally at danger each having a normal bias to danger position;a series of detachable and replaceable pressure-storage tanks forliquefied gas, one for each signal and independent of any outside powersource; a series of gas-pressureapplying chambers, one for each tank, inoperative connection with a signal and in controllable communicationwith its associated tank; supply and exhaust valves for each of saidchambers whereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in said chambersto move the signals to and hold them at safety by gas-pressure; anormally open signal-circuit for each signal; a track-circuit in advanceof each signal operating to close a signal-circuit to put its signal tosafety; and a track-circuit in the rear of each signal operating to opena signal-circuit to put its signal to danger.

62. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a series ofsignals normally at danger each having a normal bias to danger position;a series of detachable and replaceable pressure-storage tanks forliquefied gas, one for each signal and independent of any outside powersource; an automatic reducing-valve for each tank; a series ofgas-pressure-applying chambers, one for each tank, in operativeconnection with a signal and in controllable communication with itsassociated tank; supply and exhaust valves for each of said chamberswhereby gas may be supplied to and maintained in said chambers to movethe signals to and hold them at safety by gas-pressure; a normally opensignal-circuit for each signal; a track-circuit in advance of eachsignal operating to close a signal-circuit to put its signal to safety;and a track-circuit in the rear of each signal operating to open asignal-circuit to put its signal to danger.

63. The combination of a semaphoreblade, a weight for moving the bladetoward the danger position, a piston and piston-cylinder, aconnecting-rod between said piston and said semaphore-blade, a hoodsecured to said rod to cover said cylinder and means for admitting gasto said cylinder to move the signal to safety.

64. The combination of a semaphoreblade normally biased to danger, aweight for moving the blade toward the danger position, a piston andpiston-cylinder, a con necting-rod between said piston and saidsemaphore-blade, covering means for said cylinder secured to and movingwith said rod, and means for admitting gas to said cylinder to move thesignal to safety.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLYDE J. COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

E. F. PORTER, NICHOLAS M. GooDLETT, Jr.

